(Circulation. 1995;92:2245-2251.)
© 1995 American Heart Association, Inc.
Articles |
From the Departments of Surgery (Cardiothoracic) (C.A.M., K.K., N.A., R.H.J.) and Medicine (D.J.S.) and the Center for Health Policy Research and Education (N.A.), Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC.
Correspondence to Robert H. Jones, MD, PO. Box 2986, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710.
Background Mediastinitis is a severe complication of coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG). The purpose of the present study was to determine preoperative and intraoperative variables that predict mediastinitis and to determine the impact of this complication on long-term survival.
Methods and Results Data on 20 preoperative and intraoperative variables were collected prospectively on 6459 consecutive patients who underwent CABG between January 1987 and January 1994. Eighty-three patients (1.3%) developed mediastinitis postoperatively, and a total of 24 patients (29%) died. Multivariate analysis identified 4 of the 20 variables as highly significant independent predictors for the development of mediastinitis: obesity (P=.0002), New York Heart Association congestive heart failure class (P=.002), previous heart surgery (P=.008), and duration of cardiopulmonary bypass (P=.05). A comprehensive review of the literature identified 13 other studies that evaluated 48 factors as predictors of mediastinitis; these data were critically analyzed and compared with the results from this series. In this series, postoperative interval mortality during the first 90 days after surgery for the patients with mediastinitis was 11.8% compared with 5.5% for the patients without mediastinitis. Interval mortality between 1 and 2 years after surgery remained high for the mediastinitis group (8.1%) relative to the nonmediastinitis group (2.3%). These differences were not eliminated by adjusting for important variables that influenced late survival in this population.
Conclusions The present study and a review of the literature suggest that obesity and duration of surgery are the most important predictors of mediastinitis. Furthermore, although the early increase in mortality has been well described, the present study documents for the first time that mediastinitis has a significant negative influence on long-term survival independent of the patient's preoperative condition.
Key Words: mediastinitis risk factors mortality bypass surgery
This article has been cited by other articles:
![]() |
A. Sachithanandan, P. Nanjaiah, P. Nightingale, I. C. Wilson, T. R. Graham, S. J. Rooney, B. E. Keogh, and D. Pagano Deep sternal wound infection requiring revision surgery: impact on mid-term survival following cardiac surgery Eur. J. Cardiothorac. Surg., April 1, 2008; 33(4): 673 - 678. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
J. Prziborowski, M. Hartrumpf, U. A. Stock, R. U. Kuehnel, and J. M. Albes Is Bonewax Safe and Does It Help? Ann. Thorac. Surg., March 1, 2008; 85(3): 1002 - 1006. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
A. J. Poncelet, B. Lengele, B. Delaere, F. Zech, D. Glineur, J.-C. Funken, G. El Khoury, and P. Noirhomme Algorithm for primary closure in sternal wound infection: a single institution 10-year experience Eur. J. Cardiothorac. Surg., February 1, 2008; 33(2): 232 - 238. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
E. Gongora and T. M. Sundt III Myocardial Revascularization with Cardiopulmonary Bypass Card. Surg. Adult, January 1, 2008; 3(2008): 599 - 632. [Full Text] |
||||
![]() |
D. Hutschala, K. Skhirtladze, C. Kinstner, B. Mayer-Helm, M. Muller, E. Wolner, and E. M. Tschernko In Vivo Microdialysis to Measure Antibiotic Penetration Into Soft Tissue During Cardiac Surgery Ann. Thorac. Surg., November 1, 2007; 84(5): 1605 - 1610. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
S. Lindstedt, M. Malmsjo, and R. Ingemansson Blood Flow Changes in Normal and Ischemic Myocardium During Topically Applied Negative Pressure Ann. Thorac. Surg., August 1, 2007; 84(2): 568 - 573. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
Authors/Task Force Members, L. Ryden, E. Standl, M. Bartnik, G. V. d. Berghe, J. Betteridge, M.-J. de Boer, F. Cosentino, B. Jonsson, M. Laakso, et al. Guidelines on diabetes, pre-diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases: full text: The Task Force on Diabetes and Cardiovascular Diseases of the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) and of the European Association for the Study of Diabetes (EASD) Eur. Heart J. Suppl., June 1, 2007; 9(suppl_C): C3 - C74. [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
J. Sjogren, M. Malmsjo, R. Gustafsson, and R. Ingemansson Poststernotomy mediastinitis: a review of conventional surgical treatments, vacuum-assisted closure therapy and presentation of the Lund University Hospital mediastinitis algorithm Eur. J. Cardiothorac. Surg., December 1, 2006; 30(6): 898 - 905. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
A. M. Eklund, O. Lyytikainen, P. Klemets, K. Huotari, V.-J. Anttila, K. A. Werkkala, and M. Valtonen Mediastinitis After More Than 10,000 Cardiac Surgical Procedures Ann. Thorac. Surg., November 1, 2006; 82(5): 1784 - 1789. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
R. Karra, L. McDermott, S. Connelly, P. Smith, D. J. Sexton, and K. S. Kaye Risk factors for 1-year mortality after postoperative mediastinitis. J. Thorac. Cardiovasc. Surg., September 1, 2006; 132(3): 537 - 543. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
A. D. Caffarelli, J. P. Holden, E. J. Baron, H. J.M. Lemmens, H. D'Souza, V. Yau, C. Olcott IV, B. A. Reitz, D. C. Miller, and P. J.A. van der Starre Plasma cefazolin levels during cardiovascular surgery: Effects of cardiopulmonary bypass and profound hypothermic circulatory arrest J. Thorac. Cardiovasc. Surg., June 1, 2006; 131(6): 1338 - 1343. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
K. Skhirtladze, D. Hutschala, T. Fleck, F. Thalhammer, M. Ehrlich, T. Vukovich, M. Muller, and E. M. Tschernko Impaired Target Site Penetration of Vancomycin in Diabetic Patients following Cardiac Surgery. Antimicrob. Agents Chemother., April 1, 2006; 50(4): 1372 - 1375. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
K.-M. Chiu, T.-Y. Lin, S.-H. Chu, and C.-W. Lu Managing Sternal Osteomyelitis with Antibiotic Bead Implantation Asian Cardiovasc Thorac Ann, April 1, 2006; 14(2): e41 - e42. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
K. N. Cowan, L. Teague, S. C. Sue, and J. L. Mahoney Vacuum-Assisted Wound Closure of Deep Sternal Infections in High-Risk Patients After Cardiac Surgery Ann. Thorac. Surg., December 1, 2005; 80(6): 2205 - 2212. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
D. J. Kumbhani, N. A. Healey, K. S. Biswas, V. Birjiniuk, M. D. Crittenden, P. R. Treanor, and S. F. Khuri Adverse 30-Day Outcomes After Cardiac Surgery: Predictive Role of Intraoperative Myocardial Acidosis Ann. Thorac. Surg., November 1, 2005; 80(5): 1751 - 1757. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
J. Sjogren, J. Nilsson, R. Gustafsson, M. Malmsjo, and R. Ingemansson The Impact of Vacuum-Assisted Closure on Long-Term Survival After Post-Sternotomy Mediastinitis Ann. Thorac. Surg., October 1, 2005; 80(4): 1270 - 1275. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
V. G. Fowler Jr, S. M. O'Brien, L. H. Muhlbaier, G. R. Corey, T. B. Ferguson, and E. D. Peterson Clinical Predictors of Major Infections After Cardiac Surgery Circulation, August 30, 2005; 112(9_suppl): I-358 - I-365. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
M. L. Williams, L. H. Muhlbaier, J. N. Schroder, J. A. Hata, E. D. Peterson, P. K. Smith, K. P. Landolfo, R. H. Messier, R. D. Davis, and C. A. Milano Risk-Adjusted Short- and Long-Term Outcomes for On-Pump Versus Off-Pump Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery Circulation, August 30, 2005; 112(9_suppl): I-366 - I-370. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
C. S. Abboud, S. B. Wey, and V. T. Baltar Reply Ann. Thorac. Surg., July 1, 2005; 80(1): 384 - 384. [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
J. Sjogren, R. Gustafsson, J. Nilsson, M. Malmsjo, and R. Ingemansson Clinical Outcome After Poststernotomy Mediastinitis: Vacuum-Assisted Closure Versus Conventional Treatment Ann. Thorac. Surg., June 1, 2005; 79(6): 2049 - 2055. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
A. Wackenfors, R. Gustafsson, J. Sjogren, L. Algotsson, R. Ingemansson, and M. Malmsjo Blood Flow Responses in the Peristernal Thoracic Wall During Vacuum-Assisted Closure Therapy Ann. Thorac. Surg., May 1, 2005; 79(5): 1724 - 1730. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
S. F. Khuri, N. A. Healey, M. Hossain, V. Birjiniuk, M. D. Crittenden, M. Josa, P. R. Treanor, S. F. Najjar, D. J. Kumbhani, and W. G. Henderson Intraoperative regional myocardial acidosis and reduction in long-term survival after cardiac surgery J. Thorac. Cardiovasc. Surg., February 1, 2005; 129(2): 372 - 381. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
I. K. Toumpoulis, C. E. Anagnostopoulos, J. J. DeRose Jr, and D. G. Swistel The Impact of Deep Sternal Wound Infection on Long-term Survival After Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting Chest, February 1, 2005; 127(2): 464 - 471. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
O. Friberg, R. Svedjeholm, B. Soderquist, H. Granfeldt, T. Vikerfors, and J. Kallman Local Gentamicin Reduces Sternal Wound Infections After Cardiac Surgery: A Randomized Controlled Trial Ann. Thorac. Surg., January 1, 2005; 79(1): 153 - 161. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
J. Sjogren, R. Gustafsson, A. Wackenfors, M. Malmsjo, L. Algotsson, and R. Ingemansson Effects of vacuum-assisted closure on central hemodynamics in a sternotomy wound model Interactive CardioVascular and Thoracic Surgery, December 1, 2004; 3(4): 666 - 671. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
C. S. Abboud, S. B. Wey, and V. T. Baltar Risk factors for mediastinitis after cardiac surgery Ann. Thorac. Surg., February 1, 2004; 77(2): 676 - 683. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
G. Orhan, Y. Bicer, S. A. Aka, M. Sargin, S. Simsek, S. Senay, Z. Aykac, and E. E. Eren Coronary artery bypass graft operations can be performed safely in obese patients Eur. J. Cardiothorac. Surg., February 1, 2004; 25(2): 212 - 217. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
F. Bhatti and J. Dunning Does liberal use of bone wax increase the risk of mediastinitis? Interactive CardioVascular and Thoracic Surgery, December 1, 2003; 2(4): 410 - 412. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
S. Dial, D. Nguyen, and D. Menzies Autotransfusion of Shed Mediastinal Blood: A Risk Factor for Mediastinitis After Cardiac Surgery? Results of a Cluster Investigation Chest, November 1, 2003; 124(5): 1847 - 1851. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
P. W. Domkowski, M. L. Smith, D. L. Gonyon Jr, C. Drye, M. K. Wooten, L. S. Levin, and W. G. Wolfe Evaluation of vacuum-assisted closure in the treatment of poststernotomy mediastinitis J. Thorac. Cardiovasc. Surg., August 1, 2003; 126(2): 386 - 390. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
J. C.Y. Lu, A. D. Grayson, P. Jha, A. K. Srinivasan, and B. M. Fabri Risk factors for sternal wound infection and mid-term survival following coronary artery bypass surgery Eur. J. Cardiothorac. Surg., June 1, 2003; 23(6): 943 - 949. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
Q. Abid, U. U. Nkere, A. Hasan, K. Gould, J. Forty, P. Corris, C. J. Hilton, and J. H. Dark Mediastinitis in heart and lung transplantation: 15 years experience Ann. Thorac. Surg., May 1, 2003; 75(5): 1565 - 1571. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
I. Risnes, T. Ueland, P. Aukrust, R. Lundblad, S. T. Baksaas, T. E. Mollnes, and J. L. Svennevig Complement activation and cytokine and chemokines release during mediastinitis Ann. Thorac. Surg., March 1, 2003; 75(3): 981 - 985. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
M. Doss, S. Martens, J. P. Wood, J. D. Wolff, C. Baier, and A. Moritz Vacuum-assisted suction drainage versus conventional treatment in the management of poststernotomy osteomyelitis Eur. J. Cardiothorac. Surg., December 1, 2002; 22(6): 934 - 938. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
S. P. Sedlis, D. A. Morrison, J. D. Lorin, R. Esposito, G. Sethi, J. Sacks, W. Henderson, F. Grover, K. B. Ramanathan, D. Weiman, et al. Percutaneous coronary intervention versus coronary bypass graft surgery for diabetic patients with unstable angina and risk factors for adverse outcomes with bypass: outcome of diabetic patients in the AWESOME randomized trial and registry J. Am. Coll. Cardiol., November 6, 2002; 40(9): 1555 - 1566. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
M. A. Olsen, P. Lock-Buckley, D. Hopkins, L. B. Polish, T. M. Sundt, and V. J. Fraser The risk factors for deep and superficial chest surgical-site infections after coronary artery bypass graft surgery are different J. Thorac. Cardiovasc. Surg., July 1, 2002; 124(1): 136 - 145. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
B. Gardlund, C.Y. Bitkover, and J. Vaage Postoperative mediastinitis in cardiac surgery -- microbiology and pathogenesis Eur. J. Cardiothorac. Surg., May 1, 2002; 21(5): 825 - 830. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
A. Combes, J.-L. Trouillet, J. Baudot, M. Mokhtari, J. Chastre, and C. Gibert Is it possible to cure mediastinitis in patients with major postcardiac surgery complications? Ann. Thorac. Surg., November 1, 2001; 72(5): 1592 - 1597. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
J. J. Curtis, N. C. Clark, C. A. McKenney, J. T. Walls, R. A. Schmaltz, T. L. Demmy, J. W. Jones, W. R. Wilson Jr, and C. C. Wagner-Mann Tracheostomy: a risk factor for mediastinitis after cardiac operation Ann. Thorac. Surg., September 1, 2001; 72(3): 731 - 734. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
A. Borer, J. Gilad, N. Meydan, K. Riesenberg, F. Schlaeffer, M. Alkan, and P. Schlaeffer Impact of active monitoring of infection control practices on deep sternal infection after open-heart surgery Ann. Thorac. Surg., August 1, 2001; 72(2): 515 - 520. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
R. Astudillo, J. Vaage, U. Myhre, A. Karevold, and B. Gardlund Fewer reoperations and shorter stay in the cardiac surgical ward when stabilising the sternum with the Ley prosthesis in post-operative mediastinitis Eur. J. Cardiothorac. Surg., July 1, 2001; 20(1): 133 - 139. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
M. De Feo, R. Gregorio, A. Della Corte, C. Marra, C. Amarelli, A. Renzulli, R. Utili, and M. Cotrufo Deep sternal wound infection: the role of early debridement surgery Eur. J. Cardiothorac. Surg., June 1, 2001; 19(6): 811 - 816. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
M. De Feo, A. Renzulli, G. Ismeno, R. Gregorio, A. Della Corte, R. Utili, and M. Cotrufo Variables predicting adverse outcome in patients with deep sternal wound infection Ann. Thorac. Surg., January 1, 2001; 71(1): 324 - 331. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
P. A. Catarino, M. H. Chamberlain, N. C. Wright, E. Black, K. Campbell, D. Robson, and R. G. Pillai High-pressure suction drainage via a polyurethane foam in the management of poststernotomy mediastinitis Ann. Thorac. Surg., December 1, 2000; 70(6): 1891 - 1895. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
J. H. Braxton, C. A.S. Marrin, P. D. McGrath, C. S. Ross, J. R. Morton, M. Norotsky, D. C. Charlesworth, S. J. Lahey, R. A. Clough, and G. T. O'Connor Mediastinitis and long-term survival after coronary artery bypass graft surgery Ann. Thorac. Surg., December 1, 2000; 70(6): 2004 - 2007. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
H. F. Berg, W. G.B. Brands, T. R. van Geldorp, M. F.Q. Kluytmans-VandenBergh, and J. A.J.W. Kluytmans Comparison between closed drainage techniques for the treatment of postoperative mediastinitis Ann. Thorac. Surg., September 1, 2000; 70(3): 924 - 929. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
C. S. Hollenbeak, D. M. Murphy, S. Koenig, R. S. Woodward, W. C. Dunagan, and V. J. Fraser The Clinical and Economic Impact of Deep Chest Surgical Site Infections Following Coronary Artery Bypass Graft Surgery Chest, August 1, 2000; 118(2): 397 - 402. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
S. Harbarth, M. H. Samore, D. Lichtenberg, and Y. Carmeli Prolonged Antibiotic Prophylaxis After Cardiovascular Surgery and Its Effect on Surgical Site Infections and Antimicrobial Resistance Circulation, June 27, 2000; 101(25): 2916 - 2921. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
H. R. Zurbrugg, T. Freestone, M. Bauer, and R. Hetzer Reinforcing the conventional sternal closure Ann. Thorac. Surg., June 1, 2000; 69(6): 1957 - 1958. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
F. G. Duhaylongsod Minimally Invasive Cardiac Surgery Defined Arch Surg, March 1, 2000; 135(3): 296 - 301. [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
T. Szerafin, O. Jaber, and A. Peterffy Reduction of wound healing problems after median sternotomy Ann. Thorac. Surg., December 1, 1999; 68(6): 2388 - 2388. [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
K. A. Eagle, R. A. Guyton, R. Davidoff, G. A. Ewy, J. Fonger, T. J. Gardner, J. P. Gott, H. C. Herrmann, R. A. Marlow, W. C. Nugent, et al. ACC/AHA guidelines for coronary artery bypass graft surgery: A report of the American College of Cardiology/ American Heart Association task force on Practice Guidelines (Committee to revise the 1991 Guidelines for Coronary Artery Bypass Graft Surgery) J. Am. Coll. Cardiol., October 1, 1999; 34(4): 1262 - 1347. [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
C. A. Milano, G. Georgiade, L. H. Muhlbaier, P. K. Smith, and W. G. Wolfe Comparison of omental and pectoralis flaps for poststernotomy mediastinitis Ann. Thorac. Surg., February 1, 1999; 67(2): 377 - 380. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
R. J.F. Baskett, C. E. MacDougall, and D. B. Ross Is mediastinitis a preventable complication? A 10-year review Ann. Thorac. Surg., February 1, 1999; 67(2): 462 - 465. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
A. El Gamel Reply Ann. Thorac. Surg., July 1, 1998; 66(1): 297 - 298. [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
W. Ozaki, S. R. Buchman, M. D. Iannettoni, and E. P. Frankenburg Biomechanical Study of Sternal Closure Using Rigid Fixation Techniques in Human Cadavers Ann. Thorac. Surg., June 1, 1998; 65(6): 1660 - 1665. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
F. S. Eckstein, J. M. Albes, M. J. Jurmann, A. M. Scheule, S. Raygrotzki, M. Laniado, and G. Ziemer Surgical Management of Persistent Mediastinitis After Coronary Bypass Grafting Ann. Thorac. Surg., September 1, 1997; 64(3): 854 - 856. [Abstract] [Full Text] |
||||
![]() |